What are courthouse wedding vows?

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Quick Answer

As of 2014, courthouse marriages, or civil ceremonies, require each party to state his consent to the marriage in front of witnesses and a court officiant. This acknowledgment can be as simple as saying "I will," or include personal and traditional vows of the couple's choosing.

Traditional vows state both the speaker and his partner's name and commonly include a statement of intent to love and support the other partner in all circumstances. The vows often conclude with the speaker promising to remain faithful to his partner throughout life. Couples that wish to marry in a civil ceremony must submit documents required by the state in which they are getting married, pay license and courthouse fees and provide witnesses for the ceremony.